Human Microbiome & Marine Symbiosis

DIVERSE SYSTEMS + DIVERSE SCIENTISTS = AMAZING DISCOVERIES

Overview

Much like human beings, microbes often live in diverse communities interacting with both collaborators and competitors. Small molecule natural products mediate a significant portion of these interactions. As expected, the more complex a microbial community is, the richer its small molecule chemical arsenal becomes.

The Donia Lab brings together a diverse and talented group of scientists at the intersection between multiple disciplines: microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, small molecule chemistry and biosynthesis, metagenomics, and computational biology, aiming to answer basic biological questions and to develop new therapeutics.

Research

Selected Publications

People

 

 

 

 

Associate Professor

Dr. Donia received his B.Sc in Pharmacy from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Egypt in 2004. He moved to the US in 2005 to study for his Ph.D. at the Medicinal Chemistry Department, School of Pharmacy, University of Utah. He worked in Dr. Eric Schmidt’s laboratory where he studied the chemistry and biology of small molecules produced by bacterial symbionts of marine animals. He used chemical, microbiological, and metagenomic techniques to study the role of small molecules in mediating microbe-host and microbe-microbe interactions in marine invertebrates. In 2010, he joined Dr. Michael Fischbach’s laboratory at the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. There, he studied small molecules produced by members of the human microbiome and their role in mediating microbe-host and microbe-microbe interactions in humans. In particular, he focused on antibiotics produced by human pathogens and commensals, and their role in shaping the composition and dynamics of the human vaginal and oral microbiota. Dr. Donia is a recipient of the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, the Kenneth Rainin Foundation Innovation and Breakthrough Awards, and is named a Pew Biomedical Scholar. Dr. Donia is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Deepbiome Therapeutics.

 

Jie Liu

 
I received my PhD in Microbiology at Rutgers University studying the eco-physiology of organohalide respiring bacteria from marine environments. My broad research interests encompass the interactions of microorganisms with its environment/hosts. In the Donia lab, I study chemical sequestration and kleptoplasty in a complex tripartite marine symbiosis.
 
 

Paola Estrada

 
I obtained my B.S in Forensic Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I then went to Hunter College where I worked in the Kawamura Lab isolating small molecules from soil bacteria. For my PhD I went to the University of Illinois (UIUC) and worked in the Nair Lab on the biochemical and structural characterization of enzymes involved small molecule biosynthesis. In the Donia Lab I will be investigating small molecules from the human microbiome.

 

Moamen Elmassry

 
I received my Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Egypt. Then, I obtained my Ph.D. in Biology from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. In my dissertation, I focused on Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis during sepsis in trauma patients. In the Donia Lab, I study the contribution of the gut microbiota to the human metabolome (and health). I value collaborative research and teaching. I enjoy reading, humanities talks, Tai Chi, sports, and video games.
 
 
 

Ruojun Wang

 
I grew up in Shanghai, China, and received my B.S. from Fudan University. I then received my Ph.D. in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis from Weill Cornell Medical College before joining the Donia Lab. My top interests are host-microbe interactions in health and disease. Outside of the lab, I enjoy birdwatching, photography, and traveling.
 
 

Laura Ióca

 
I received my BSc in Physical and Biomolecular Sciences and my MSc and PhD in Organic and Biological Chemistry at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. In the Donia Lab, I am investigating the biosynthesis machinery of marine symbionts that produce unique natural products scaffolds. Outside of the lab I enjoy listening podcasts and doing puzzles together with a nice cup of tea.
 
 

Luis Jesus Linares-Otoya

 
I received my BSc and MSc in Animal Science at the National University of Trujillo (Peru) and Bonn University (Germany), respectively. Later I obtained my PhD at the University of Bonn / JLU- Giessen (Germany) studying the biosynthesis of natural products from marine bacteria. I am interested in understanding the role of secreted metabolites in microbial communities. In the Donia Lab I study the regulation and biosynthesis of small molecules produced by obligated bacterial endosymbionts and marine bacteroidetes. Outside of the lab I enjoy watching/reading Sci-FI, swimming and cooking.
 
 

Sunghoon Hwang

 
I am from South Korea. I received my BS in Pharmacy from Seoul National University. For my PhD, I studied microbial natural product chemistry, specifically structure elucidation. In the Donia Lab, I am interested in the expression of genes and discovery of the compounds from the human microbiome. In my free time I enjoy exercising, reading, and traveling around.
 

Bhuwan Khatri Chhetri

 
I graduated from Kathmandu University, Nepal with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy. My master’s degree is in chemistry where I worked under Dr. William N. Setzer at University of Alabama, Huntsville on plant natural products-based drug discovery. I moved to University of Texas, San Antonio for a year as a postmaster researcher to work under Dr. Oleg Larionov on synthetic organic chemistry. I completed my PhD in organic chemistry under the supervision of Dr. Julia Kubanek at Georgia Institute of Technology working on the exploration of marine macroorganisms for drug discovery. In the Donia lab, I am interested in unraveling the molecular mechanisms involved in the chemical sequestration in marine symbioses. In my spare time, I enjoy being with my family, cooking, and music composition.
 

Jeffrey Lee

Mol Bio Graduate Student
 
I received my B.A. in Biology as well as an MPH in Global Health and an MEng in Energy, Environment, and Chemical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis. Currently my work is focused on the capture and characterization of peptides from the human microbiome with a particular focus on examining the roles these peptides may have in microbe-microbe and host-microbe interactions. I am interested in how peptides can be harnessed to improve human health in addition to issues of biosecurity, therapeutics, and science policy. 
 
 

Catherine Day

Mol Bio Graduate Student
 
I grew up in northern California and received my B.S. in Biology from the California Institute of Technology. In the Donia Lab, I will be studying antibiotic resistance. Outside of research, I enjoy traveling, playing video games and doing puzzles.
 
 

Jongbeom Park

Mol Bio Graduate Student
 
I grew up in Daegu, South Korea and received my BA in Biology from Grinnell College. I am broadly interested in evolutionary biology and developmental biology. I currently plan to investigate the role of peptides in mammalian development. My hobbies include indoor rock climbing, driving, and eating.
 
 

Xuanqi (Ivy) Chen

CBE Graduate Student
 
I received my B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UW-Madison. I am broadly interested in human health care and biotech. In the Donia Lab, I will be using both computational and experimental approach to study human gut microbiome. Outside of lab, I enjoy city explorations, hiking and occasionally skiing.
 
 

Gavriela Carver

Mol Bio Graduate Student
 
I grew up in NYC and received my B.S. in Biological Sciences from Cornell University, where I studied plant pathology. Before joining the Donia Lab, I spent two years working at the Broad Institute developing tools for genetic code expansion. Currently, my work focuses on ecologically and functionally relevant host-microbe interactions in marine symbioses. Outside of research I enjoy gardening and fermenting foods, and by extension I keep the lab stocked with freshly-baked loaves of sourdough!
 
 

Sophia Koval

Mol Bio Graduate Student
 
I grew up in the DC area and attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, where I studied biology and anthropology. My interests span the realm of microbiology and human health, including biofilm maintenance, the microbiome, and equity in healthcare. I’m interested in drug metabolism by the gut microbiome. When not at the bench, I enjoy embroidery, being outdoors, and spending time with friends.
 

Siddharth Marwaha

MD/PhD Student
 
I’m a New Jersey Native, having both grown up here and gone to school at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Before Joining the Donia lab, I did 2 years of medical school at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School through the MD/PhD program. Currently, I’m using a multi-omics approach to investigate host-microbe interactions in the gut microbiome. Outside of the lab, I love coffee, watching formula 1 races, and riding my bike!
 

Salma Youssef

MD/PhD Student, joint with Yibin Kang
 
I got my B.S. in Biology with a minor in Sociology and Anthropology from Fordham University in NYC. In the Donia Lab, I am interested in understanding how the microbiome affects cancer progression. My hobbies include drawing, gardening, and cooking up a feast for friends and family.
 

Christina Kim

Chemical and Biological Engineering PhD Student
 
I grew up in Delaware and received my B.S.E. in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. In the Donia Lab, I’m interested in host-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions in health and disease. Outside of the lab, my hobbies include crochet, baking, and theatre.

Isabella Swartz

Molecular Biology Undergraduate
 
I’m from Warrington, Pennsylvania, and I’m a member of the Class of 2024. On campus I also volunteer with CONTACT which focuses on emotional support and suicide prevention, and I love baking, reading, and doing puzzles. 
 
 

Katherine Carroll

Chemical and Biological Engineering Undergraduate
 
I am from Chicago, Illinois and I am in the class of 2024. I am a part of the Chemical and Biological Engineering department, with a certificate in Computer Science. Outside of classes, I am on the open weight rowing team and am in the Entrepreneurship Club.
 
Klara Thiele

Klara Thiele

Chemical and Biological Engineering Undergraduate
 
I am from Germany and a member of the Class of 2024 in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department. On campus, I am on the Openweight Crew Team and a Project Manager for Engineers Without Borders Team Ecuador. In my free time I enjoy cooking and I love going on scuba diving vacations.

Seema Chatterjee

Lab Manager
 

Karen E. Plantarich

Faculty Assistant
NamePosition in labCurrent
Julia GaraffaPrinceton Undergraduate ’23Fulbright, Czech Republic
Ye ChenPrinceton Undergraduate ’23Graduate Student, University of Michigan
Jaime LopezPhD Graduate Student ’22Post-Doc, Stanford University 
Mary DavisPrinceton Undergraduate ’22 
Christian HernandezPrinceton Undergraduate ’22PhD Student at UF Scripps Biomedical Research
Anna SchmedelFaculty Assistant 
Shuo WangPhD Graduate Student ’22Machine Learning Engineer, Apple
Amira MiraPostdoctoral Research FellowAssistant Professor, Mansoura University, Egypt
Janie KimPrinceton Undergraduate ’21Graduate Student, Stanford University
Nisha ChandraPrinceton Undergraduate ’21 
Jared BalaichPhD Graduate Student ’20 
Bahar JavdanMD-PhD Graduate Student ’20 
Amir ErezPostdoctoral Researcher 
Dani PetersPrinceton Undergraduate ’20 
Francine CamachoPhD Graduate Student ’19Viome
Yuki SugimotoPostdoctoral Researcher 
Zhiyuan LiPostdoctoral ResearcherAssistant Professor, Peking University
David RomeroUndergraduate SURP InternUndergrad, California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
Evan ZhaoVisiting Postdoctoral ResearcherPost-doc, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Lucy WilliamsonPrinceton Undergraduate ’19 
Pranatchareeya ChankhamjonPostdoctoral ResearcherScientist, VL55, Flagship Pioneering
Maria Diarey TianeroPostdoctoral ResearcherSenior Scientist (Program Lead), Lodo Therapeutics
Mohamed FaragVisiting Associate ProfessorAssociate Professor, Cairo University
Allison ChangPrinceton Undergraduate ’18Masters Student, Computer Science, Princeton University
Diana ChinPrinceton Undergraduate ’18Post-bac, Yu lab, Boston Children’s Hospital
Anna PosfaiPostdoctoral ResearcherPost-Doc, Kinney lab, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Tanya TafollaSummer Undergraduate InternGraduate Student, University of California, Merced
Jindong ZanPostdoctoral ResearcherStaff Scientist, Becton Dickinson
Arman OdabasPrinceton Undergraduate ’17Med Student, Washington University in St. Louis
Audrey AbendPrinceton Undergraduate ’17Clinical Research Associate II, OpenBiome
Raphaella HullOxford-Princeton Exchange StudentGraduate Student, University of Cambridge
Phoebe HuangPrinceton Undergraduate ’16Med Student, University of Rochester
Christian Shema MugishaSummer Undergraduate InternGraduate Student, Washington University in St. Louis

Outings and Outreach

Resources

Contact Us

Donia Lab
Department of Molecular Biology
Guyot Hall, Moffett Laboratory
Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544 
(609)-258-3841

 

Faculty Assistant
Karen E. Plantarich
217 Schultz Laboratory
(609)-258-5028